8 Great DIY Children's Book Gift Sets

There is nothing better than a good book. It can transport you to another time and place, and set your imagination free. What could be better present than that? How about a book that comes with something to extend the story into real life? Children love to act out the stories they read. And when they do, their comprehension of the story and ability to see things from others' points of view improves. With these gift sets, you're sure to make someone's holiday bright.

Poppy is a girl mouse who lives in Dimwood forest with Ragweed (a golden mouse), Ereth (a porcupine) and many others under the watchful eye of Mr. Ocax (a great horned owl). Poppy will have to learn to be brave in order to protect herself and her family. This Six-Book Series by Avi is appropriate for ages 8 and up and was my daughter's favorite when she was in the fourth grade.
Folkmanis makes wonderful (and surprisingly affordable) puppets of all of the animals featured in the Poppy stories. What a great way for kids to keep the stories alive and maybe make up a few new sequels of their own!

This classic from Roald Dahl tells the story of Charlie Bucket, a very poor and honest boy who is one of five children to win a golden ticket to see the inside of Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory. Memorable characters like Violet Beauregarde and Augustus Gloop show what happens to greedy selfish children who don't listen in this humorous novel for kids that has been made into a movie not once but twice. Pair the book (I especially like the hardcover edition) with a Wonka bar and the child who receives this gift set can imagine what would happen if s/he found a golden ticket inside!

Here's one that's great for the younger girls on your shopping list. Angelina Ballerina is a little girl mouse who loves to dance. She loves it so much she doesn't want to do anything else, which of course leads to trouble. But it also leads to the kind of dedication that makes one a ballet star. After reading this book (and the others in the series, including one just for Christmas!) any little girl will be itching to get up and dance. Pair the story with a pretty little tutu and she'll be dancing everywhere just like Angelina.

If You Give A Mouse A Cookie... he'll want a glass of milk to go with it.  And if you give him a glass of milk, he'll ask for a mirror, to check for a milk moustache...

And if you give a kid a Cookie Kit... he'll want to bake some cookies to go with his new favorite story book! The Curious Chef cooking tools are real functional high quality kitchen tools made for kids ages 4 and up. What a great way to introduce a child to the joys of baking!

What more classic American story is there than Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House series? The story of Laura's life on the American Frontier in the 1800's has captivated children for more than 75 years. The nine books in the series which begin in The Little House in the Big Woods tell the story of a young girl and her family setting out in a covered wagon to find a place where they can carve out of a life for themselves. No child's library is complete without this series. Great books to read aloud, they are perfect for any age.

Pair the books with an authentic Laura Ingalls bonnet and you've got a gift that will be remembered for years to come.

A "novel in cartoons" the Diary of a Wimpy kid tells the story of a middle school boy through his jounal entries and drawings. Laugh out loud funny and extremely relatable, the boys on your list will be hooked and asking for more. (There are at least 6 books in the series, and two movies). -- And don't tell the boys, but girls like these books a lot too.

Pair the book(s) with the Wimpy Kid Do-It-Yourself Book and you've got a great gift set. Recently revised and expanded, the Do-It-Yourself Book has "loads of interactive pages" as well as blank pages where a kid is free to write whatever comes to mind. A great way to expand the Wimpy Kid experience and introduce a kid to the fun of writing too!

"Might I," quavered Mary, "might I have a bit of earth?"
"Earth!" he repeated. "What do you mean?"
"To plant seeds in - to make things grow - to see them come alive"

A little orphan girl goes to live at a huge estate on the moors of England where everything is quiet and mysteries abound. At the heart of all them is a secret walled up garden time has forgotten. What happens to Mary and the others at the Estate when the garden is discovered?

And what will happen when you pair this timeless treasure with an indoor gardening kit? Give a child this book and "a bit of earth" and see what blossoms!

The Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew series have been favorites of children for many years, and the series continue to be updated and expanded with sequels and spin-offs.  Best though to start where they all began, with these wonderful six-book starter sets. 

Or, if your recipient is a little younger, try the Nate The Great, Cam Jansen or Encyclopedia Brown.  Every kid loves a mystery and there are many great series to choose from. 

Whichever series you select, pair the books with a detective's magnifying glass and watch your young reader turn into a super sleuth!

These are just eight suggestions - you could easily come up with many more. And the best part is, you can give a great gift without spending a lot of money. Just use a little imagination and you'll make magic this Christmas for the kids on your list.